Stopper cap and packaging device furnished with such a cap

ABSTRACT

A stopper cap includes a first tubular skirt having a longitudinal axis (X) and a base defined transversely to the first tubular skirt. The cap is configured to close off an opening presented at a neck of a receptacle, and the stopper cap includes a tab extending along the outer periphery of the first tubular skirt. This tab is configured to allow the sampling of a product contained in the receptacle by at least partial insertion of the tab into the opening when the cap is detached from the said receptacle. The cap includes a second tubular skirt having the same longitudinal axis in an illustrated example, with the second tubular skirt having a maximum cross section greater than that of the first tubular skirt so that the space requirement of the cap is limited to the frontal area of the second tubular skirt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

This document claims priority to French Application Number 05 50448, filed Feb. 17, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/656,383, filed Feb. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stopper cap intended to close off an opening of a receptacle, this cap having means for making a “test dab”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND

A sensitivity test or test dab is particularly recommended before applying any hair dye (oxidative dye or direct dye). Experience shows that very few consumers do this, one of the reasons given being that it is currently not practical to do this test.

Solutions have been proposed in the prior art to allow a user to make this test dab, on a small area of her skin, in order to ensure, in advance, and preferably at least 48 hours beforehand, that the local physiology of a product is harmless before it is applied more generally onto the user's skin and more precisely onto her scalp.

In particular, patent application FR-A-2 806 271 discloses a hair dyeing kit that includes two receptacles capable of communicating with one another to allow, at the moment of use, the mixing of the products contained respectively in these receptacles. One of the receptacles also includes an orifice, which can be closed off by a stopper, so that it is possible, before producing the mixture, to sample a test dose. Although satisfactory in a number of respects, the solution described in this document has the disadvantage of requiring a substantial modification to the packaging containing the dye product itself. This modification increases the cost of the packaging.

Another dye assembly, fitted with an arrangement for allowing the use of this test dab, is described in patent application FR-A-2 857 567. Here again, the proposed assembly has a complex design and expensive to produce.

Furthermore, in the medical or food field, documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,640 and DE-29 511 971 U1 disclose a stopper fixedly attached to a spoon protruding from its outer periphery. Since these spoons are intended to be put into the mouth, they are voluminous and considerably increase the space requirement of the stopper. Document DE-91 00 409-U1 discloses a cap of a toothpaste tube that includes an outer relief making it possible to interact by snapping in a toothbrush handle in order to hold the two items together. Although effective, there is a risk that the user may forget to replace the brush on the cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide one of the parts and particularly the stopper cap intended to close off the distribution opening of a device for packaging a product, in particular a hair dye product, partially or completely solving the problems discussed hereinabove. The stopper cap according to a preferred example of the invention provides a simple and economic solution for producing a test dab of a dye product before it is used more extensively. By way of example, the stopper cap according to the invention may be made by molding in a single piece, and it may also be easily mounted industrially onto a receptacle to be closed off.

At the factory, the various parts to be assembled are usually placed in vibrating bowls so that they can subsequently be brought one by one to the assembly station. The part to be mounted should not cause a blockage between the vibrating bowl and the assembly station. The stopper caps according to the invention may be assembled industrially with an assembly station supplied by vibrating bowls because they do not tend to cluster together.

It is another object of the invention to provide a cap that allows the use of a test dab, and that does not require the modification of the receptacle onto which the cap is intended to be mounted, nor the sealing of the closure provided by this cap.

Furthermore, it is another object of the invention to provide an arrangement for making this test dab while retaining the handling action of the receptacle and its stopper cap.

According to a preferred example of the invention a stopper cap is provided which includes a first tubular skirt having a longitudinal axis X and a base defined transversely to the first tubular skirt, with the cap being configured to close off an opening of a receptacle when the first skirt is mounted around a neck of the receptacle having the opening. The stopper cap includes a tab extending along the outer periphery of the first tubular skirt, with this tab being configured to allow the sampling of a product contained in the receptacle by the at least partial insertion of the tab into the opening when the cap is detached from the said receptacle, so that it includes a second tubular skirt of the same longitudinal axis. The second tubular skirt has a maximum cross section greater than that of the first tubular skirt so that the space requirement of the tab is limited to the frontal area of the second tubular skirt. In other words, in an illustrated example, the tab is included in the volume delimited by the generatrix of the second tubular skirt, when the latter is cylindrical. The tab can be positioned in a radial space between an outer peripheral portion of the second skirt and an outer periphery of the first skirt.

When the receptacle is opened, the user holds the cap in her hand and can then, by way of the tab presented on its outer periphery, insert it into the opening made in the neck of the receptacle and sample therefrom a quantity of product in order to carry out the sensitivity test. An advantage of this arrangement lies in particular in the fact that handling is easy and prevents the user from soiling her hands at the time of the test. The test may thus be carried out locally.

Advantageously, according to an example, the cap is configured in order to be handled without the user having to change the position of her fingers on the outer periphery of the cap, whether it be in order to be detached from the receptacle, in order to sample the product or in the context of the application of the sampled product.

By way of example, the tab extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Advantageously, the tab extends at a distance from the outer periphery of the first tubular skirt.

Also by way of example, preferably, to stiffen the positioning of the tab relative to the first tubular skirt, a first junction is provided between the outer periphery of this first skirt and an inner face of the tab. For example, this first junction can be formed by a wall extending radially relative to the outer periphery. This first junction also has the advantage of preventing the caps from nesting inside one another when they are handled on the packaging lines.

Preferably, a free end of the tab is flush in a plane in which a rim of the first skirt is defined. This arrangement makes it possible to propose the same positioning of the stopper cap relative to the receptacle as the placement that would have been obtained with a cap having no such tab.

Alternatively, the free end of the tab may protrude along the longitudinal axis relative to the plane in which a rim of the first skirt is defined, at its free edge. For example, the free end can protrude by at least 1 mm. The free edge of the first skirt corresponds to the edge that is furthest from the opening when the cap is mounted on the neck. Such a configuration makes it possible to form a grip in order to be able to move the tab relative to the first skirt, and particularly move it away from this first skirt. This movement leads to a local deformation of the cap, for example at a junction between this tab and the second skirt.

For example, the tab may be arched inwards. In this case, the free end of the tab may be flush with or be in contact with a generatrix of the outer periphery of the first tubular skirt, and even, where appropriate, be in contact with a generatrix of the inner periphery of this first skirt. In these cases, preferably, it is not connected by a first junction to the outer periphery of the first skirt. This configuration nevertheless also makes it possible to prevent the caps from bunching together before they are respectively mounted onto their receptacles.

In addition, according to a disclosed example, the free end of the tab is configured to be able to be inserted into the opening because it locally modifies the enveloping surface defined by this first skirt. In addition, it preferably has a free end that is rounded so that the surface of application of this tab causes no injury during the application on the skin.

The cap can includes a center punch protruding from the base, in a direction axially opposed to that of the first skirt. This center punch can be particularly useful when the opening is sealed by a film that can be torn by forcing this center punch against the outer surface of the film. In particular, a free end of the center punch may be situated in the inner volume delimited by the second skirt.

By way of example, a center punch is provided on the cap, the latter is surrounded by the second tubular skirt so as to make it easier to position this center punch inside the opening. Specifically, the second tubular skirt has an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the neck, and serves as a guide so that the cap may be moved in translation along its axis X in order to insert the center punch into the opening.

Preferably, and also by way of example, the center punch has a height less than the height along the axis X of the second skirt. It is thus defined inside the enveloping surface delimited by this second skirt. This arrangement makes it possible to store devices fitted with such a cap without risking the center punch of one device coming to pierce the wall of a receptacle of another device.

Advantageously, the second tubular skirt can rise from the base in a direction opposed to that of the first tubular skirt. The first and the second tubular skirts are then coaxial and extend either side of the base.

By way of example, a second junction may be provided between the tab and a free edge of the second skirt. For example, this second junction may be deformable so as to tolerate a movement of the tab relative to the second skirt, particularly a rotation about an axis formed at this second junction.

To prevent any manual contact between the tab and the fingers of the user, the second tubular skirt may have anti-slip gripping means on its outer periphery for easier handling of the cap. Accordingly, the outer periphery of the second tubular skirt may be knurled.

Advantageously, according to an example, the cap includes a fastening arrangement capable of interacting with a complementary fastening arrangement presented by the neck of the receptacle for the stopping of the said receptacle. In particular, stopping is obtained by interaction of a thread provided on an inner periphery of the first tubular skirt with a complementary thread provided on the outer periphery of the neck of the receptacle. Alternatively, and/or in addition, stopping may be obtained by engaging a flange in a groove, with the flange and the groove being respectively formed on the first tubular skirt and on the receptacle, or vice versa.

Preferably, the base includes a sealing arrangement making it possible to seal the stopping of the receptacle. For example, the base may include an annular seal intended to be compressed against a rim of the neck of the receptacle, in the closed position of the cap on the receptacle. Alternatively, the base can have an annular sealing lip arranged to be pressed on the inner surface of the neck of the receptacle, in the closed position.

Further by way of example, preferably, the device for the packaging of a cosmetic product includes a receptacle capable of containing the product, with the receptacle including an opening for the distribution of the product, and with the opening being presented at the end of a neck. A stopper cap according to the invention is provided to close off the opening in the closed position, with the receptacle having a maximum cross section greater than the cross section of the second skirt.

In this case, the receptacle is preferably a flexible-walled tube and the product may be taken out, after detaching the stopper cap, for example, by exerting a pressure on the outer periphery of the flexible walls.

Preferably, by way of example, the opening is sealed beforehand by a film in order to ensure the sealing of the stopper during storage, before the first sampling of the product.

The invention is particularly advantageous where the product contained is a product forming, or being intended to form, a hair dye product.

The cap according to the invention and the device furnished with such a cap are particularly advantageous where the user desires to check the harmlessness of a product. The invention is beneficial in allowing the sampling of a sufficiently small dose so as not to allow the occurrence of physiological problems with the user, while ensuring the reliability of the result of the sensitivity test carried out.

The invention also provides a method for achieving a test dab in order to check the harmlessness of a product to be applied to keratinous materials, such as the skin or the hair, with the product being packaged in a receptacle including a neck delimiting an opening reversibly closed off by a stopper cap. The method includes opening the receptacle; sampling the product residing in the neck by using a tab of the stopper cap which is capable of being engaged at least partially inside the neck; and applying the product thus sampled onto the keratinous materials.

Preferably, before the tab is engaged in the neck, the cap may be deformed so as to orient the tab radially relative to the outer periphery of the second skirt.

Preferably, by way of example, for the sampling of the product using the tab, the cap is presented so that the longitudinal axis of the cap is secant to a longitudinal axis of the said neck.

As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that, in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments disclosed herein, but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments discussed herein are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be gained from reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are offered purely as examples and in no way limit the invention.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a cap according to the invention mounted in the closed position on a receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a cap according to the invention presented relative to the receptacle so as to be able to sample a dose of product;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the top of a cap according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective from beneath a cap according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view in profile of a cap according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view from beneath a cap according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view in profile of a cap according to a variant embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view in longitudinal section of the cap of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a cap 1 according to an example of the invention mounted so as to close off an opening of a receptacle 2. In the example shown, the receptacle 2 is a flexible-walled tube.

FIG. 2 shows this same cap 1 detached from its receptacle and presented so that a tab 3 of the cap is partially inserted into the opening 4 made by a neck 5 of the receptacle 2.

In the example shown, product is available at this opening 4. If the product cannot be sampled by the tab 3 because there is no product in the neck, the user exerts an actuation command, for example a slight pressure on the outer walls of the receptacle when the latter are flexible, so as to bring product close to this opening and sample it by means of the tab 3.

Preferably, the tab 3 is configured to be only partially inserted into the opening, so as to be covered by a small quantity of product, in particular a quantity of product lying between 0.01 ml and 5 ml, preferably lying between 0.05 ml and 1 ml. Specifically, the product is sufficiently viscous to adhere to the tab when it is dipped therein.

After sampling, the tab 3 charged with product is directly applied by the user to the zone of her body in which she desires to carry out the sensitivity test. Preferably, she chooses to carry out this test at the base of the hair, behind the ears so that the test whose results can be read only after a few hours, preferably 48 hours, does not inconvenience her.

If the test is conclusive (e.g., no undesirable reaction after 48 hours), then she may proceed with the application of the product on her hair. Where necessary, the product is applied as a mixture with other products, in a conventional manner in the hair dyeing field.

Preferably, the product contained in the receptacle forms, or is intended to form, a hair dye compound.

A hair dye compound may be a direct dyeing compound. It typically contains one or more direct dyes usually used in hair dyeing.

“Direct dye” means a dyed and dyeing molecule having an affinity for the keratinic fibers and being soluble in a hair dyeing medium formed of water or a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent.

This or these direct dyes may be, for example, of a non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric nature. They may for example be chosen from the nitrated benzene direct dyes, anthraquinone direct dyes, triarylmethane direct dyes, xanthene, azo or methine direct dyes.

Alternatively, also by way of example, the hair dye compound may be an oxidative dye compound containing at least one oxidative dye. The oxidative dyes may be bases and/or couplers.

The product contained in the receptacle may then be an oxidating compound or a dye compound, with the latter being able to be subsequently mixed extemporaneously in order to obtain the hair dye product.

Amongst the oxidative bases, the dye can include, for example, the para-phenylenediamines, the para-aminophenols, the ortho-aminophenols, and the heterocyclic bases such as the pyridine, pyrimidine or pyrazolic bases.

Amongst the couplers, the dye can include, for example, the meta-aminophenols, the meta-phenylenediamines, the meta-diphenols, the naphthols, the heterocyclic couplers such as the indolic couplers, the couplers of the benzomorpholine type, the pyridine couplers, and the sesamol derivatives.

Also by way of example, the hair dye compound may be formulated in any usual oxidative dye or direct dye medium that may flow freely under the effect of its weight (liquid, fluid gel, or fluid cream). This medium may be quite simply water, where necessary with the addition of one or more solvents and one or more reducing and/or antioxidant agents.

Preferably the hair dye compound advantageously contains at least one compound chosen from the tensioactive agents and the solvents other than water.

The solvent agent is preferably chosen from the monoalcohols such as, for example, ethanol or isopropanol, the polyols such as, for example glycerol or propylene glycol, or the ethers of these monoalcohols or of these polyols, such as, for example, propylene glycol monomethyl ether.

The tensioactive agent or agents is (are) amongst the non-ionic, anionic, cationic or amphoteric tensioactive agents. They are preferably chosen from the polyoxyalkylene compounds such as for example the polyoxyethylenes, the polyoxypropylenes or the polyglycerols.

The hair dye compounds that can be used in the context of the present invention have been the subject of many detailed descriptions, particularly in the patent literature. Consequently, they do not require further detailed description.

In the illustrated example, the cap 1 includes a first tubular skirt 6 capable of interacting with the neck 5. An inner periphery 7 of this first tubular skirt 6 includes means capable of being kept on the outer periphery 8 of the neck 5 so as to hold the cap 1 on the receptacle 2, and thus retain the closed position of the device formed by the receptacle 2 and its stopper cap 1. In the example shown, the first tubular skirt 6 is of circular internal cross section and has a thread 9 on its inner periphery 7 to interact with a complementary thread 10 presented by the neck 5. However, other suitable means could alternately be used.

In the position in which the cap 1 is mounted on the neck 5, a base 11 of the cap 1, defined transversely to the tubular skirt 6, comes to close off the opening 4. For example, the base 11 comes to press on a rim 12 of the neck 5 delimiting this opening 4. In this position in the illustrated example, a free edge 100 of the first skirt 6 is a short distance from a collar 101 of the receptacle flaring out around the neck 5. This free edge 100 is axially opposed, relative to the axis X, to the base 11. It is preferably substantially defined in a secant plane perpendicular to the axis X.

For example, the base 11 may have or include an elastically deformable structure capable of being squeezed against this rim 12 to provide the seal. As a variant, and also by way of example, the base 11 may have an annular sealing lip arranged in order to be pressed on an inner surface 13 of the neck 5 in the closed position. Other suitable seal arrangements could also be used.

An axis X about which the cap 1 may be rotated to obtain its disengagement from the neck 5 corresponds to the longitudinal axis about which the first tubular skirt 6 is defined. Nevertheless, the first tubular skirt extending along this axis X may have a height relative to the said axis X smaller, greater or else equal to the diameter presented by a cross section of this skirt relative to the axis.

As a variant not shown, the inner periphery 7 can have a snap-fit arrangement intended to interact with a complementary snap-fit arrangement presented by the outer periphery 8. With such an arrangement, the axis X can also correspond to an axis of translation of the cap 1 relative to the neck 5 to obtain the engagement of the snap-fit parts.

In the illustrated example, the tab 3 extends along the axis X, and preferably has a longitudinal axis Z parallel to the axis X. Preferably, the tab has an outer face 14 extending at a distance from an outer periphery 15 of the first annular skirt 6. In particular, the axis X may correspond to an axis of symmetry of revolution of the outer periphery 15 of the first skirt 6. The tab 3 includes an inner face 16 opposite this outer periphery 15. This inner face 16 extends at a distance from the said outer periphery 15.

In the illustrated example, this outer face 14, and also preferably the inner face 16, extends parallel to the axis X. Preferably, this outer face 14 is smooth and is parallel to a plane tangential to the outer periphery 15 of the first skirt 6 which is cylindrical in the example shown, and in particular annular of circular section.

The tab 3 is attached to the first tubular skirt 6 by a first junction 17. In the example shown, the first junction 17 corresponds to a wall 17 connecting the inner face 16 to the outer periphery 15. Preferably, this wall 17 extends radially to the outer periphery 15 and is placed so that it is connected to the inner face 16 at a mid-line or along the center line of the tab 3, this mid-line extending along the axis Z at a distance from the longitudinal borders respectively 18 a and 18 b of the tab 3.

The tab 3 has a free end 19, with this free end 19 corresponding to an axial end, along the axis Z, of the tab 3. This free end 19 is flush in the plane defined by the rim 12. This free end 19 is rounded so as to form a curved end connecting the two longitudinal borders 18 a and 18 b in the illustrated example. This free end 19 is configured to be able at least partially to be inserted into the opening 4 in order to sample the product.

In the illustrated example, the dipping of this free end 19 into the opening 4 is limited by the size of the opening 4, the dimensions of the tab 3, of the free end 19 and of the junction wall 17.

Specifically, in the example shown, the opening 4 has an internal diameter of the order of 3 to 10 mm and a neck of a thickness, measured radially between the outer periphery 15 and the inner periphery 7, of the order of 1 to 3 mm. Furthermore, the width of the tab 3, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis X, lies preferably between 2 and 8 mm, and corresponds to an angular coverage 20 of the outer periphery 15, measured about the axis X, representing between 10 and 60°, and preferably 30° of this outer periphery 15. Furthermore, the junction wall 17 connects the inner face 16 and the outer periphery 15 over a height lying between 10% and 100% of the height of the tab 3 along the axis X. Finally, the junction wall 17 has a width, measured radially relative to the outer periphery 15 and in a direction perpendicular to the axis X, lying between 1 and 5 mm.

The further the tab 3 is distant via the wall 17 from the outer periphery 15, and the smaller the angular coverage 20 of the tab 3, particularly at the free end 19, the easier it is to insert the tab 3 into the opening 4.

In particular, in the cases where the junction wall 17 connects the tab 3 to the outer periphery 15 up to its free end 19, the product is sampled by presenting the tab 3 in the opening 4 in an oblique orientation, that is in which the axis X of the cap is secant with an axis Y of the neck 5.

Advantageously, preferably only the outer face 14 of the tab 3 is placed in contact with the product, so that this outer face 14 serves as an application surface when the user seeks to transfer the sampled product to a zone of her skin.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening 4 is sealed by a film, for example a plastic film. Thus, irrespective of the position of the stopper cap relative to the neck, the opening 4 is sure to be sealed closed, before the first use. Thus it is possible where necessary to dispense with a complex sealing means on the stopper cap. Where appropriate, it is possible to tolerate an approximate tightening of the stopper cap on the neck.

To access the product, this film must first be broken. Accordingly, the stopper cap in the illustrated example includes a center punch 21 protruding from its base 11. In order to avoid any risk of piercing the film, this center punch 21 protrudes from the base 11, while running along the axis X, in a direction opposite to that of the first tubular skirt 6 relative to this same base 11. Specifically, the first tubular skirt protrudes from a first face 22 of this base 11, while the center punch 21 protrudes from a second face 23 of the said base 11 opposite to the first face 22. The first face 22 is intended to be placed facing the opening 4 when the cap is mounted in the closed position on the receptacle 2. However, when the user desires to access the product, she then detaches the stopper cap 1 from the receptacle 2 so as to be able to present the second face 22 opposite the opening 4. Preferably, the center punch 21 is then moved in translation along this axis X and presses against this film until the film is broken.

To provide the guidance in translation of the cap 1 relative to the receptacle 2 when the center punch 21 is to be pressed against the film, the cap includes a second tubular skirt 24, of longitudinal axis X, whose inner periphery 25 is of a section such that it is capable of being translated about the neck 5, along the axis Y of the neck. Preferably this second tubular skirt 24 has a circular inner section, with the axis X corresponding to an axis of symmetry of revolution of its inner periphery 25. The inner periphery 25 is preferably smooth so as to slide along the neck, with the section of the inner periphery being of such a dimension that it does not interact with the thread 10 provided on the neck 5.

In the illustrated example, the maximum cross section of the second tubular skirt 24 has a cross section greater than the maximum cross-section of the first tubular skirt 6. In particular, these maximum cross sections correspond respectively to the cross sections defined by the outer periphery of the skirts. The latter in the examples shown are of circular external cross section. For example, in the case in which these cross sections are respectively circular and concentric, the difference D1 between the maximum radius of the outer periphery 26 of the second skirt 24 and that of the outer periphery 15 of the first skirt 6 is greater than 2 mm, even greater than 5 mm.

To make the cap easier to handle, the second tubular skirt 24 preferably has an outer periphery 26 making handling easier. In particular, this outer periphery 26 is knurled in the illustrated example.

To prevent the point 27 of the center punch 21 risking damaging, or even piercing, of other devices beside which it could be placed during the storage of the mounted assembly (including the receptacle 2 and its stopper cap 1), the height of the second tubular skirt 24, along the axis X is preferably greater than the height of the center punch 21 along this same axis X, with the height being measured along the axis X from the level defined by the second face 22 of the base 11. Thus, the end 27 of the center punch 21 does not protrude beyond a plane passing through a first free edge 28 of this second skirt 24. Preferably, this plane in which the first free edge 28 is defined is transverse to the axis X.

Since the second tubular skirt 24 has an inner cross section greater than the maximum section of the neck 5, its thread 10 included, its outer periphery 26 is then preferably of a cross section greater than the cross section of the first skirt 6. In particular, the maximum cross section of the second skirt 24 is greater than all the cross sections of the outer periphery of the first skirt 6. Thus the tab 3 may be confined to the inside of the frontal area of the second skirt 24.

Since the respective outer peripheries of the tubular skirts 6 and 24 are of different cross section, preferably the base 11 of the cap has a portion 31 whose outer periphery is frustoconical to connect the first skirt 6 to the second skirt 24.

In the embodiment shown, the tab 3 is included in the volume delimited by the generatrix of the second tubular skirt 24. Thus the presence of the tab 3 does not change the maximum cross section, transverse to the axis X, of the cap 1 defined by the second skirt 24.

The tab 3 protrudes beyond a second free edge 29 of the second skirt 24, opposite to the free edge 28. Since this second free edge 29 is defined in a plane transverse to the axis X, the tab 3 rises or extends perpendicular to the free edge 29. The tab 3 is attached at a second axial end 30, opposite to the free end 19 relative to its longitudinal axis Z, with this axis Z being parallel to the longitudinal axis X. This axial end 30 defines a second junction making it possible to fixedly attach the tab 3 to the outer periphery of the cap. The tab 3 may thus be fixedly attached to the cap 1 via the first junction 17 and/or the second junction 30.

In particular, in the embodiment represented in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tab 3 is held to the cap 1 by only the second junction 30, while in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the tab 3 is fixedly attached via the first and the second junction respectively 17 and 30.

In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the free end 19 of the tab 3 protrudes by a length D2 measured along the axis X, relative to the free edge 100 of the first skirt 6. In particular, it protrudes by a length of the order of 1 mm, for example. On the other hand, in FIGS. 1 to 6, the tab 3 is shown with its free end 19 defined in the plane of this free edge 100.

In these two embodiments, the space requirement of the tab 3 is limited to the frontal area of the second tubular skirt 24.

In the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8, the tab 3 is arched inwards so that the free end 19 of the tab may be flush with or in contact with a generatrix of the outer periphery 15 of the first tubular skirt 6. In particular, the shortest distance between the outer periphery 15 and the free end 19, measured as “e”, is strictly less than the shortest distance between the outer periphery 15 and a generatrix of the outer periphery 26 of the second skirt 24. “e” is for example of the order of 1 mm.

The variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 makes it possible, when carrying out the test dab, to first twist the tab 3 at the second junction 30 so as to stand or extend it substantially radially to the outer periphery of the second skirt 24. Thus the tab 3 becomes easier to insert in the neck 5. This arrangement also makes it possible to increase the convenience of handling the cap 1 by increasing the distance between the outer periphery of the second skirt 24, forming the gripping zone, and the free end 19 forming a member for application of the product.

In a variant of the invention not shown, the tab 3 may be arched to the point such that the free end 19 is situated inside the frontal area of the first skirt 6. In this case, the free end 19 protrudes -necessarily axially, along the axis X, relative to the plane of the free edge 100.

In all the description, expressions such as “comprising a,” “having a,” “has a” or “includes a” must be considered as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless the contrary is specified.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. 

1. A stopper cap comprising: a first tubular skirt having a longitudinal axis and a base extending transversely to said longitudinal axis, wherein the cap is configured to close off an opening of a receptacle when the first skirt is mounted around a neck of the receptacle having the opening; wherein the stopper cap further comprises a tab extending along an outer periphery of the first tubular skirt, and wherein said tab is configured to allow the sampling of a product contained in the receptacle by at least partial insertion of the tab into the opening when the cap is detached from the receptacle; and wherein the stopper cap further comprises a second tubular skirt having the same longitudinal axis, wherein the second tubular skirt has a maximum cross section greater than a maximum cross-section of the first tubular skirt, and wherein the space requirement of the tab is limited to a frontal area of the second tubular skirt.
 2. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the tab extends substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 3. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the tab is spaced at a distance from the outer periphery of the first tubular skirt.
 4. A cap according to claim 1, wherein a first junction is provided between the outer periphery of the first tubular skirt and an inner face of the tab.
 5. A cap according to claim 4, wherein said first junction is formed by a wall extending radially relative to said outer periphery of said first tubular skirt.
 6. A cap according to claim 1, wherein a free end of the tab is flush in a plane in which a rim of the first skirt is defined.
 7. A cap according to claim 1, wherein a free end of the tab protrudes along the longitudinal axis relative to a plane in which a rim of the first skirt is defined such that said tab protrudes beyond said plane.
 8. A cap according to claim 7, wherein the tab protrudes by at least 1 mm beyond said plane.
 9. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the tab is arched inwardly toward said longitudinal axis.
 10. A cap according to claim 3, wherein the second tubular skirt rises from said base in a direction opposed to that of the first tubular skirt.
 11. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second tubular skirts extend in opposite directions relative to said base.
 12. A cap according to claim 11, further comprising a center punch protruding from the base in a direction axially opposed to a direction which the first skirt extends.
 13. A cap according to claim 12, wherein a free end of the center punch is situated in the inner volume delimited by the second skirt.
 14. A cap according to claim 13, wherein the center punch has a height less than the height of the second tubular skirt along said longitudinal axis.
 15. A cap according to claim 4, wherein a second junction is provided between the tab and a free edge of the second skirt.
 16. A cap according to claim 1, wherein said tab is joined to a free edge of the second skirt at a junction.
 17. A cap according to claim 16, wherein the tab is movable relative to the second skirt about an axis formed at said junction.
 18. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the second tubular skirt has anti-slip gripping means on its outer periphery.
 19. A cap according to claim 1, further including fastening means capable of interacting with complementary fastening means presented by the neck of the receptacle for fastening the cap to of the receptacle.
 20. A cap according to claim 19, wherein fastening means of the cap includes a thread provided on an inner periphery of the first tubular skirt which cooperates with a complementary thread provided on the outer periphery of the neck of the receptacle.
 21. A cap according to claim 19, wherein the fastening means of the cap includes one of a flange or a groove on the first tubular skirt which engages the other of a flange or a groove provided on the receptacle.
 22. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises sealing means to seal the cap upon the receptacle.
 23. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises an annular seal to be compressed against a rim of the neck of the receptacle, in the closed position of the cap on the receptacle.
 24. A cap according to claim 1, wherein the base includes an annular sealing lip arranged to be pressed on the inner surface of the neck of the receptacle, in the closed position.
 25. A cap according to claim 1, wherein at least prior to a first use, said tab is positioned with respect to a radial direction from said longitudinal axis between said outer periphery of said first skirt and an outer periphery of said second skirt.
 26. A cap according to claim 1, in combination with a receptacle capable of containing a cosmetic product, wherein the receptacle comprises an opening for the distribution of the product, the opening being presented at the end of a neck, wherein the cap and receptacle form at least part of a packaging device, wherein the cap closes off said opening in a closed position, and wherein the receptacle has a maximum cross section greater than the cross section of the second skirt.
 27. A device according to claim 26, wherein the receptacle is a flexible-walled tube.
 28. A device according to claim 27, wherein the opening is sealed by a film at least prior to a first use.
 29. A device according to claim 26, wherein the receptacle contains a cosmetic product, and wherein the product is at least a component of a hair dye compound.
 30. A method for achieving a test dab in order to check the harmlessness of a product to be applied to the keratinous materials, such as skin or hair, said product being packaged in a receptacle comprising a neck delimiting an opening reversibly closed off by a stopper cap according to claim 25, said method comprising: i) opening the receptacle; ii) sampling the product residing in the neck by means of the tab of the stopper cap capable of being engaged at least partially inside the neck; and iii) applying the product thus sampled onto the said keratinous materials.
 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the tab is engaged in the neck, the cap is deformed so as to orient the tab radially relative to the outer periphery of the second skirt.
 32. A method according to claim 30, wherein for the sampling of the product by means of the tab, the cap is presented so that the longitudinal axis of the cap is secant to a longitudinal axis of said neck.
 33. A stopper cap comprising: a first skirt having a base and a longitudinal axis, wherein the cap is configured to close off an opening of a receptacle when the first skirt is mounted around a neck of the receptacle having the opening; wherein the stopper cap further comprises a tab extending along an outer periphery of the first tubular skirt, and wherein said tab is configured to allow the sampling of a product contained in the receptacle by the at least partial insertion of the tab into the opening when the cap is detached from the receptacle; and wherein the stopper cap further comprises a second skirt having an outer periphery, wherein at least a portion of the outer periphery of said second skirt is radially spaced from the outer periphery of said first skirt with respect to said longitudinal axis such that a radial space is provided, and wherein at least prior to a first use of said tab said tab is positioned in said radial space.
 34. A cap according to claim 33, in combination with a receptacle contains a cosmetic product.
 35. A device according to claim 34, wherein said first and second skirts are tubular, and wherein said first and second skirts extend in opposite directions relative to said base.
 36. A cap according to claim 33, wherein said tab is coupled to an end of said second skirt.
 37. A cap according to claim 36, wherein said tab is also coupled to said first skirt.
 38. A cap according to claim 33, wherein said tab is coupled to said first skirt. 